ITALY, Papal (Papal state). Gregory XIII. 1572-1585. AR Testone – Triplice giulio (30mm, 9.39 g, 4h). Ancona mint. Dated 1581. VF.

Electronic Auction 557
Lot: 599. Estimated: $ 100

The J. Eric Engstrom Collection: Papal, Silver

Sold For $ 140. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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ITALY, Papal (Papal state). Gregory XIII. 1572-1585. AR Testone – Triplice giulio (30mm, 9.39 g, 4h). Ancona mint. Dated 1581. Bust right, wearing mantum and zucchetto / Christ standing facing, holding shovel, drawing away from Mary Magdalene kneeling right, extending hand to Christ; in exergue, coat-of-arms surmounted by tasseled gallero. MIR 1211/2; Muntoni 201I; Berman 1213. Toned, extensive scratches, edge marks. VF.

From the J. Eric Engstrom Collection.

The reverse illustrates a scene recorded in John 20:15-17, where Mary Magdalene, weeping at the sepulcher after finding the stone removed and Christ’s body missing, questions a figure she initially mistakes as a gardener about the body’s whereabouts. She soon recognizes this figure as Christ, who tells her “Noli me tangere” (“touch me not”) and directs her to inform others of the Resurrection.

The shovel Christ holds has two purposes; it references Mary’s misidentification of Christ in the narrative, while also typologically linking Christ to Adam, a gardener in Eden, who was often depicted holding a shovel in Medieval art.

Closing Date and Time: 6 March 2024 at 13:19:20 ET.

All winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer’s fee.